How Do CPAP Machines Work?

If you have trouble sleeping, you may wonder if this is serious enough to see your doctor about – and then you may wonder if he or she will recommend a CPAP machine. Read on for more information about what CPAP machines are, how they work, and how they may be able to help you finally get a good night’s sleep.

What Is a CPAP Machine?

CPAP stands for “continuous positive airway pressure.” A CPAP machine includes a box with a fan inside to draw air from the room, clean it, warm and humidify it, pressurize it, and then deliver it into your body. It does this through a hose, which is attached to a mask that fits over your nose.

Why Use a CPAP Machine?

CPAP machines can help patients with sleep apnea, a condition in which the airway closes as they sleep – this may happen because the soft tissue in the throat collapses. This leads to pauses in breathing, and the brain wakes the patient up to try to get breathing to resume normally. This can happen dozens or even hundreds of times throughout the night (or even dozens of times in an hour). However, you may not even realize that you keep waking up. You may be tired all the time and not realize why. Other symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, morning headaches, waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat, and waking up during the night feeling like you are choking or gasping.

If you have tried CPAP machines in the past and found they were uncomfortable, not to worry. There are other treatment options for sleep apnea, such as oral appliance therapy, or even surgery for very serious cases where CPAP and oral appliance therapy don’t help. Patients with sleep disorders may benefit from a tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or sinus surgery.

Night after night of bad sleep can start to affect your quality of life – and it can lead to serious health problems. If you seem to be tired all the time, contact Lakeside Allergy ENT for help. There are offices in Rockwall and Forney. Call (972) 771-5443 for a consultation today!